The New York-based American Express, a multi-billion dollar international financial services company, has promoted Sri Lankan-born Priyan Fernando as President and Chief Operating Officer of its Global Business Travel. A 26-year veteran with American Express, Fernando was previously a Chief Financial Officer of their Corporate Services Businesses. As President, he will have responsibility for about 20,000 employees across 140 countries. American Express, one of the best known brand names globally and one of the world's largest travel management companies, reported travel sales of $24.6 billion in 2007. Fernando has led many transformation initiatives in both finance and business during his successful career with the company. He is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Management Accountant and has a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the US. Currently, he is based in New York City. - Asian Tribune - Sun, 2008-04-20 12:57 New York, 20 April, (Asiantribune.com):

Dilbar Usmonova from Rusqishloq village in Qaynarbuloq, Uzbekistan was able to access microcredit in 2008 with which she purchased one cow and four sheep. “Cattle breeding was an appropriate business for us,” said Ms. Usmonova, who holds a university degree in veterinary science. Since then, she now has four cows and 12 sheep, and her family breeds and sells livestock at the local market. In partnership with the microcredit organizations in Uzbekistan, since 1997 more $ 400,000 dollars were disbursed as small loans and grants to finance small businesses in rural areas of the country. Out of 2,520 recipients, 1,827 (72 percent) were women running small businesses. Most of the investments go towards trade livestock, agriculture, services and small manufacturing. UNDP in Uzbekistan has been partnering and training various national and regional microfinance organizations to distribute loans to low income families, since 1997. Photo courtesy of UNDP in Uzbekistan